Furring Strip Alignment System

ABSTRACT

A furring strip system with built-in alignment and airspace between interior and exterior walls for ventilation and rainscreen protection. A wall grid system speeds installation. The furring strip system has application to installation of drywall panels, deck applications, and floor applications. The system allows release of moisture from wood and wood plastic composite (WPC) decking via a space between boards. The invention further has application to roof installations with cross bars as well as different types of roofing, and ceiling applications.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/908,073 filed Mar. 26, 2007, Ser. No. 60/909,051 filed Mar. 30, 2007, and Ser. No. 60/910,138 filed Apr. 4, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to construction materials and systems, and in particular to furring materials used to construct walls, ceilings, flooring and roofing of buildings. The invention provides a significant improvement over conventional furring materials that can trap moisture behind wall panels and causing mold and mildew growth and rot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a furring strip system with built-in alignment and airspace between interior and exterior walls for ventilation and rainscreen protection. A wall grid system speeds installation.

The furring strip system has application to installation of drywall panels, deck applications, and floor applications. The system allows release of moisture from wood and wood plastic composite (WPC) decking via a space between boards. The invention further has application to roof installations with cross bars as well as different types of roofing, and ceiling applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a metal furring strip according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates cross-sectional views of various different shapes of a metal furring strip in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a furring strip grid in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows the use of a horizontal furring strip in accordance with the invention, for adjustment of alignment with variably spaced wall studs;

FIG. 5 illustrates a panel hanging tool in accordance with the invention for use with the furring system of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the hanging of a wall panel using the furring system of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows side views of different configurations of hanging tool in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 shows an example of attachment of the panel hanging tool to the furring strip of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a leg that catches the underside of a furring strip of the invention for attachment of the hanging tool;

FIG. 10 shows the use of hanging tool cross slots for vertical applications;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a vertical panel hanging application;

FIG. 12 shows examples of various shape and size configurations of furring strip slots in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 shows another example of a furring strip grid system in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, furring strips 10 are preferably made from steel blanks, with chamfered holes 12 for screw leveling flush to the strip surface. The holes may be manufactured to different increments such as 12″, 8″ etc. FIG. 2 shows examples of various cross-sectional shapes for the furring strips 10, which allow the installation of various types of drywall, boards, panels, siding, etc. The furring strip 10 may have hemmed legs 22 for added strength, and can be made to different depths as well as different lengths. The steel strips can be used as a fireblock in the horizontal direction, and a drip edge may be added for drainage. The hollow back allows only a small amount of the surface to which the furring strip is being attached to be contacted by the strip. This allows for the maximum amount of air flow and drainage on a substrate.

Preferably, the furring strip 10 is a hollow vented strip made from a durable material such as steel. It can be used for all types of furring. Among its advantages, the furring strip system according to the invention can be made to custom lengths, will not burn in the event of a fire, and can be made with tolerance consistent to 1/10,000 of an inch. The furring strip is vented so that it allows moisture to flow down the steel furring strip and vent an entire wall. This feature is a significant improvement over a conventional solid furring strip such as wood furring strips that can trap moisture in walls, roofs, and floors, causing rotting. The furring strip also can be vinyl-coated to act as a thermal break or barrier for the metal to reduce heat and cold conduction caused by metal such as steel.

The metal furring strip also can utilize a foam or plastic block to create a larger airspace behind wall panels. These blocks can snap into the back of the metal furring strip. This also creates a thermal break for the metal. The metal furring strip 10 can preferably be manufactured from G-90 Galvanized steel to reduce the possibility of rusting. The furring strip system alternately can be manufactured from vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and other composite materials.

The furring strip can have clips and screw holes pre-punched to attach and to receive different types of ceiling panels, wall panels, flooring, exterior siding panels, decking panels, roofing panels, overhang panels etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pre-fabricated furring strip grid system 30 using cross-members 31 to allow fast installation of furring strips 10 all at one time, according to another aspect of the invention. The furring system automatically spaces itself on 6″, 8″, 10″ 12″, 16″ and 24″ spacing increments for spacing automatically by applying cross members 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the furring strips 10 can be adjusted horizontally along the cross-members 31 for studs that are variably spaced. The furring strips 10 can be attached to the cross-members 31 by various attachment mechanisms such as clamps with wing screws, magnetic clamps, etc.

FIG. 5 shows a panel hanging tool 50 in accordance with the invention for use with the metal furring strip system. The tool 50 is inserted into slots, holes, or openings in the furring strip, and holds wall or ceiling panels in place until final attachment to the steel furring strip is made. This feature enables one person installation The tool 50 has a screw clamp 54 for adjustably attaching to the furring strip, as shown in detail in FIG. 8. Use of the screw clamp 54 eliminates the need for any punches on the furring strip. The tool 50 also has a number of slots 52 for insertion of clips to hold wall panels for attachment to the furring strips. This is shown in FIG. 6, where a panel 60 is hung between two furring strips 10 using hanging tools 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tool 50 may have downward facing hooks 72 and/or upward facing hooks 74 for accommodating various types of tongue-and-groove panels for walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, siding, log siding, overhangs, decks, etc., and an additional projection 76 located in the middle of the tool for accommodating double panels.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a furring strip 10 with cross-slots 102 for vertical panel applications, as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 illustrates a vertical panel 60 being hung on a single furring strip 10 using the hanging tool 50.

As shown in FIG. 12, the furring strips may have smaller slots to increase strength. The slots, holes, or apertures can be set at different increments and can have various sizes and shapes to accommodate various different applications.

FIG. 13 shows a second example of a grid system for strips 10 being attached to cross-members 31, with screws being used to attach the horizontal bars through the slots or with metal tapping screws.

FIG. 14 shows an example of an installed panel system 140 wherein panels 60 are attached to furring strips 10 via concealed hook fasteners 141 and 142. Different hook dimensions can be provided to fit all sizes of panels.

As shown in FIG. 15, the furring system of the invention eliminates attachment of panels through the face of the panels, by using j-shaped hooks 142, giving a concealed attachment and cleaner look to the installed panels. A special starter strip hook 151 can be provided at the bottom of the strip 10. As shown in FIG. 15, the panel 60 is first inserted into the starter hook 151 and then rotated into place under the hook 142. The next panel 61 then is installed over the top edge of the panel 60, resting on hook 142. FIG. 16 shows a configuration wherein panel 61 is fitted under a top hook 171.

FIG. 17 shows a starter strip 191 for a foam back vinyl siding design clip that sticks into the back of a vinyl siding panel 192. FIG. 18 shows an example of tongue-and-groove attachment technology, wherein hooks 181 insert into a channel or clip 182 fastened to the back of a tongue-and-groove panel 60 for attachment of the panel to the furring strip 10. The small channel 182 either can be glued onto the back of the panel, or pop riveted or screwed onto a wood siding fiber cement panel, roofing panel, interior wall covering panel, decking panel, aluminum panel, ceiling panel, or floor panel. 

1. A furring attachment and alignment system for building panels, comprising a plurality of metal furring strips each having an air space channel formed therein, at least one cross-member connected to said plurality of metal furring strips to align said strips in a preselected spacing interval, said air space channel being placed against a building substrate surface so as to provide a moisture ventilation mechanism for releasing moisture between said building panels and said building substrate surface.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are roofing panels.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are interior walls.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are flooring panels.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are decking panels.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips each contain at least one slot, said system further comprising a hanging tool having a clamping mechanism for attaching to said furring strips through said slots, which tool temporarily holds said building panels in place to allow final attachment to said furring strips.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips have a minimal amount of contact with said substrate to minimize heat conduction via said furring strips.
 8. The system of claim 8, wherein said furring strips include hemmed legs which contact said substrate and form a moisture drainage channel between said substrate and said building panels.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips are made of G-90 galvanization steel.
 10. The system of claim 1, further including a second cross-member connected to said furring strips to form a grid system for installation of said furring system over an entire substrate at one time.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said cross-members include attachment mechanisms for automatically aligning the strips 16″ on center to attach to studs associated with said substrate.
 12. A panel hanging tool for use with the system of claim 1, which tool is inserted into openings formed in said strips, and which holds said building panels in place temporarily until final attachment to said furring strips.
 13. The panel hanging tool of claim 12, wherein said tool includes a plurality of slots for insertion of a clip to accommodate various increments and sizes of panels being used.
 14. A metal furring strip that has at least one hemmed leg and a hollow back to allow drainage of moisture.
 15. The metal furring strip of claim 13, further comprising a thermal barrier coating.
 16. The metal furring strip of claim 14, wherein said furring strip is made of G-90 galvanization steel.
 17. A metal furring strip having a plurality of mounting hooks for tongue-and-groove building panels to be attached thereto, wherein said mounting hooks provide a space between said panels to allow moisture drainage between panels.
 18. The metal furring strip of claim 17, further comprising a thermal barrier coating.
 19. The metal furring strip of claim 17, wherein said furring strip is made of G-90 galvanization steel. 